2.5D Volumetric Cloud Shader

This is a Volumetric Cloud shader, intended for use in the OBGE project for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. It uses the same basic principals as the Parallax Occlusion shading technique, however, instead of the ray stopping when it hits the virtual surface of the volume it is recreating, the ray continues through the virtual cloud volume, accumulating density as it goes. The accumulated density determines the output alpha of the pixel. A second ray is projected from the virtual collision point at the cloud towards the light source to simulate shadowing of the cloud's volume. The more cloud the ray travels though, the less of the light source's color will be used in the lighting calculation.

It takes a simple alpha channeled cloud texture as input, and a noise texture for jitter. Jitter improves the apparent quality of the cloud, allowing it to run using fewer samples, and thus, fewer resources. It does, however, add a shimmering effect when the cloud or camera are in motion. A simple post-process blur should be effective at eliminating that, however.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• graphics
• shader
• volumetric
• cloud
• oblivion
• OBGE

[naik2222]

:D wooala...when ii can see this in oblivion?

[HawkleyFox]

@naik2222

I was unable to find a way to get it in, due to a lack of access to information required by the shader. I am not skilled enough to hack in the access either, so this shader is on indefinite hiatus.

TESV will likely be out before this ever gets into the game.

[pfnieks]

@HawkleyFox

Have you tried contacting Etha tron on the bethesda forums, he's working on a new version of OBGE and he's managed to get fully access to a lot of the original shaders.

It would be a pity to waste such a great work.

[HawkleyFox]

@pfnieks

I fired off a message to him. He does seem to be making quite a stir over there. Used to keep a better eye on things there, but I've been off Oblivion for a bit now. I would love to see this shader running in Oblivion, so if he can help make it happen, I'll put the effort into finishing it up.

[Anthonyfami]

Hey if i could how do u add a shader?

[HawkleyFox]

@Anthonyfami

What do you mean? Add it to what?

[whatthafuckisthis]

Holy shit, This + OBGE god rays is a visual orgasm

[pfnieks]

@HawkleyFox

Glad to know you're still up for it and, yes, in this last two/three months there's been a lot of news mostly thanks to tomerk water and etha tron digging oblivion engine.

[Anthonyfami]

Well im trying to add a shader that is allready present in tes for my weapon when it hits enemy, ive been told its possible but i dont know how :(